Ayobamiji Komolafe 
The government of Rwanda has confirmed cases of Marburg virus disease, a highly infectious hemorrhagic fever related to Ebola.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Rwandan Ministry of Health announced that the cases had been detected in a “few patients” currently receiving treatment at health facilities.
This marks the first known instance of the disease in the country, although the ministry did not disclose the exact number of cases.
Marburg virus is transmitted to humans by fruit bats and can spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces.
It is known for its sudden onset of illness, with many patients developing severe hemorrhagic symptoms within seven days of infection.
Symptoms of the disease include high fever, severe headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, and bleeding.
However, there is currently no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment for the virus, making it particularly deadly, with fatality rates in previous outbreaks ranging from 24% to 88%, depending on the strain and case management.
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The health ministry reassured the public that investigations are being conducted to trace the origin of the infection.
“Enhanced preventive measures are being implemented in all health facilities. Contact tracing is underway, and the confirmed cases have been isolated for treatment to prevent further spread,” the ministry stated.
The ministry’s statement emphasized that Marburg is not believed to be airborne and is mainly spread through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or tissues of infected individuals.
“Anyone experiencing symptoms such as a high fever, strong headaches, vomiting, muscle aches, and stomach aches should contact the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) on 114, or visit the nearest health facility,” the statement added.
In response to the cases, the government has heightened preventive measures in health facilities and urged the public to continue their regular activities but maintain high levels of vigilance and hygiene.
Health workers across the country have been placed on alert, and measures such as isolation wards and stringent infection control protocols have been enacted.
This news comes as part of a broader pattern of recent Marburg outbreaks in Africa.
In 2023, both Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea reported Marburg outbreaks, while Ghana faced a similar outbreak in 2022.
The Rwandan government is closely monitoring the situation and pledged to provide regular updates to the public as new information becomes available.
The government has also called on citizens to remain calm, emphasizing that the authorities are taking all necessary steps to control the spread of the virus and mitigate the impact of the outbreak.
